Joke from Egyptian protesters
An army commander told Hosni Mubarak: Everything has come to an end, you should write a farewell speech for the people.
Mubarak: Oh! Where are they going?
February 9th, 2011
Posts filed under 'Humor'
Best political ads of 2010
Over at Daily Kos they have a hilarious feature on their favorite political ads on 2010. Go watch them and be reminded of some of the lowest points of the year.
Alas, this is one domain where 2011 is bound to be disappointing.
January 1st, 2011
Transport Canada on new airport US screening procedures
November 19th, 2010
Music: Atheists don’t have no songs
From the 2010 New Orleans Jazzfest:
[H/t PACIFICVS, which has transcribed the lyrics.]
November 14th, 2010
Onion on today’s election
The Onion succinctly describes the dilemma faced by millions today:
Americans Bravely Go To Polls Despite Threat Of Electing Congress
WASHINGTON—Despite the very real threat of electing the 112th Congress, millions of courageous Americans lined up at their polling places today and put their right to vote above the awful possibility of sending a politician to represent them in Washington. “I was afraid the moment I showed up to vote, and now that I’ve cast my ballot, I’m even more terrified,” said Kentucky resident Mary Buchanan, who ran to her car and drove home immediately after exercising her constitutional right. “But I knew I had to face my fear and participate in our democracy, even if my actions could lead to electing another U.S. senator.” The day was not without tragedy, however, as the choice between voting for incumbent Harry Reid and challenger Sharron Angle left 20 Americans dead and injured 13 at a Carson City, NV polling place
November 2nd, 2010
“The markets” = cocaine and prostitutes
Paul Krugman approvingly quotes a commenter on an economics blog, who provides deep insights into the meaning of “the markets,” in the context of understanding the markets’ demands of the Irish government in its time of crisis:
The markets want money for cocaine and prostitutes. I am deadly serious.
Most people don’t realize that “the markets” are in reality 22-27 year old business school graduates, furiously concocting chaotic trading strategies on excel sheets and reporting to bosses perhaps 5 years senior to them. In addition, they generally possess the mentality and probably intelligence of junior cycle secondary school students. Without knowladge of these basic facts, nothing about the markets makes any sense—and with knowladge, everything does.
What the markets, bond and speculators, etc, want right now is for Ireland to give them a feel good feeling, nothing more. A single sharp, sweeping budget would do that; a four year budget plan will not. Remember that most of these guys won’t actually still be trading in four years. They’ll either have retired or will have been promoted to a position where they don’t care about Ireland anymore. Anyone that does will be a major speculator looking to short the country for massive profit.
In lieu of a proper budget, what the country can do—and what will work—is bribe senior ratings agencies owners and officials to give the country a better rating. Even a few millions spent on bumping up Ireland’s rating would save millions and possibly save the country.
Bread and circuses for the masses; cocaine and prostitutes for the markets. This can be looked on a [sic] unethical obviously, but since the entire system is unethical, unprincipled and chaotic anyway, why not just exploit that fact to do some good for the nation instead of bankrupting it in an effort to buy new BMWs for unmarried 25 year olds.
To which Krugman comments:
That’s what I call a policy recommendation — and it’s better than most of what passes for wisdom these days.
November 1st, 2010
Football or baseball
The Patriots won today in overtime. In their honor (though actually I prefer baseball):
October 17th, 2010
Police privatization, British style
Privatization is sweeping the wold. After fire departments, obviously the police are next. Here’s a British version:
October 11th, 2010
Political legacy of Rahm Emanuel
Rahm Emanuel is leaving the White House Chief of staff job tomorrow. In his honor, here is a concise analysis of his only contribution to American politics and civil discousrse:
[Warning: Not Safe for Work, just like Rahm Emanuel.]
September 30th, 2010